mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 17, 2018 17:57:29 GMT -5
Hi folks,
I am gathering supplies so I can try my hand at silver soldering. The question I have is about the actual soldering material. I noticed that Rio Grande sells a silver solder "paste". Can this be used in lieu of the little silver snippets? If so, it seems like it would be much easier to use than the snippets.
I looked in the "tutorial" section, but didn't see anything listed for this particular question.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may provide on this subject.
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Post by Pat on Dec 17, 2018 18:14:25 GMT -5
It’s solder plus flux. I haven’t used it, but want to try it.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Dec 17, 2018 18:59:59 GMT -5
I haven't used it. I prefer pallion and stick soldering.
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Post by toiv0 on Dec 17, 2018 19:02:35 GMT -5
I have never used it either. I use wire solder an clip it to lengh as I go.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 17, 2018 19:16:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. It looks like the pros don't use the paste, so I may need to be the guinea pig on this one.
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Post by Pat on Dec 17, 2018 19:17:22 GMT -5
I’ve always used the chips, but you reminded me about the paste solder. I’ll order medium in the syringe.
I accidentally ordered the paste flux recently. Not the ssme😄
You can buy the chips already chipped, or buy the sheet and make snippings yourself. Cheaper than already chipped. I should add that there are pliers available just for cutting the little snippets from the sheet. Some of these pliers also have a dedicated hole for cutting the wire.
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Post by Pat on Dec 17, 2018 20:36:57 GMT -5
I just ordered the medium solder paste in a syringe.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 17, 2018 21:46:21 GMT -5
I just ordered the medium solder paste in a syringe. Thanks Pat. I just ordered some small syringes of various grades so I can do some r & d as well. I like the idea that it's already fluxed.
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Post by pauls on Dec 17, 2018 22:20:34 GMT -5
I have used it, I picked up a syringe at an estate sale. Old and fairly dried out but useable.
For the job I was doing, soldering a claw setting, it worked well. I made one setting and had a lot of trouble with the pallions falling off each join, I completely trashed it. I made another, used the paste on each joint and got the job done easily and quickly in one go, I think I am a convert
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 18, 2018 1:21:51 GMT -5
I have used it, I picked up a syringe at an estate sale. Old and fairly dried out but useable. For the job I was doing, soldering a claw setting, it worked well. I made one setting and had a lot of trouble with the pallions falling off each joint, I completely trashed it. I made another, used the paste on each joint and got the job done easily and quickly in one go, I think I am a convert Thanks pauls. Glad to hear it worked for you.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 18, 2018 10:32:25 GMT -5
I have had pretty good luck with the solder paste on small things like embellishments and jump rings. For larger joints I mostly use wire solder that is snipped into small sections and placed at the joins.
Chuck
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 18, 2018 12:30:06 GMT -5
I learned on paste and its great. You'll love it. It's just so much easier than pallions. It stays where you put it. No flux bubbling and running around all over the place. No pallions to jump off your piece. Use toothpicks to apply. It's perfect to learn on, and continue on! Stick soldering might be easier once you get the hang of it, but I haven't tried that.
Paste has a reputation among professionals of being something to use to repair jewelry, or something beginners use. Low brow. I keep asking them though, what about it makes it unsuitable for general fabrication? And none of them can come up with a good reason other than "that's not the way I learned". My jewelry teacher, who is a retired mechanical engineer, and for whom "that's not the way I learned" isn't a proper reason, uses paste exclusively.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 18, 2018 13:23:32 GMT -5
I learned on paste and its great. You'll love it. It's just so much easier than pallions. It stays where you put it. No flux bubbling and running around all over the place. No pallions to jump off your piece. Use toothpicks to apply. It's perfect to learn on, and continue on! Stick soldering might be easier once you get the hang of it, but I haven't tried that. Paste has a reputation among professionals of being something to use to repair jewelry, or something beginners use. Low brow. I keep asking them though, what about it makes it unsuitable for general fabrication? And none of them can come up with a good reason other than "that's not the way I learned". My jewelry teacher, who is a retired mechanical engineer, and for whom "that's not the way I learned" isn't a proper reason, uses paste exclusively. It is very common in any task to stick with what you know works. My only logical answer is that I think I am better at visualizing the amount of solder needed with the pallions and segments of wire. I can place them around and feel comfortable that there will not be any gaps. The pallions moving is a bit of a pain. Switching to paste would require some practice and trust. I am not sure if there is a cost factor that comes into play or what the shelf life is on the paste before it starts hardening. Chuck
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 18, 2018 13:31:59 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck and Susan for the very helpful information! I didn't order any of the very low temperature grade paste (like Lowe's sells), so I'm hoping for success with it as Susan mentions. Reading the description on the Lowe's item, it states that it's not suitable for manufacturing, only repair. If I get into doing jump rings the low temp paste might come in handy though.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 18, 2018 17:23:17 GMT -5
I have a silversmith friend who earns her living doing it and she uses paste. I got some to try and never had good luck with it- for whatever reason.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Dec 18, 2018 18:46:19 GMT -5
I have a silversmith friend who earns her living doing it and she uses paste. I got some to try and never had good luck with it- for whatever reason. Thanks Tela! I've seen some of your silverwork, and whatever you are using looks like it works great.
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icatz
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2015
Posts: 453
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Post by icatz on Dec 19, 2018 8:24:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. It looks like the pros don't use the paste, so I may need to be the guinea pig on this one. Paste solder. The price doesn't warrant its use, IMO. I'd have to increase the price of every sterling piece. I just clip my easy, medium or hard solder wire and it's just fine.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 19, 2018 11:13:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. It looks like the pros don't use the paste, so I may need to be the guinea pig on this one. Paste solder. The price doesn't warrant its use, IMO. I'd have to increase the price of every sterling piece. I just clip my easy, medium or hard solder wire and it's just fine. That might be it right there, I'm sure it's more expensive. Makes sense.
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Post by Pat on Dec 19, 2018 11:31:32 GMT -5
Just ordered syringe of medium solder. $5.77 plus shipping.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Dec 19, 2018 18:45:37 GMT -5
I pre-fire my flux and then place the pallions around where I need them. this keeps them from moving around when the flux starts to evaporate. use a titanium pic to pick up and move around the pallions.
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